Back-to-back losses for Hawks

There were few highlights but plenty of worries for coach Alastair Clarkson after Hawthorn crashed to back-to-back AFL pre-season losses at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

On a night to forget for the visitors, Hawthorn could not back up from their one-point defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Suns and were defeated 0.4.8 (32) to 0.1.5 (11) by the Brisbane Lions in round one of the pre-season competition.

Clarkson may not want to sift through the game tape of either match.

Superstar Lance Franklin's high hit on Suns midfielder Matt Shaw in the second half of their opening clash will no doubt come under close scrutiny.

It was a rare moment that Franklin stood out on Saturday night in a rusty Hawthorn outfit.

Hawthorn ran out of legs in their second match, against a Lions line-up without the likes of co-captains Jonathan Brown and Jed Adcock, Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger and Brent Staker.

Hawthorn led 0.1.3 (9) to 0.0.3 (3) at halftime but were over-run by a Lions side led by Josh Green, Brent Moloney (both 11 touches) and Dayne Zorko (two goals).

Earlier, utility Luke Russell was the hero for the Suns when his behind after the full-time siren sealed a dramatic 0.4.6 (30) to 0.4.5 (29) victory in the opening round robin clash.

Besides Franklin's high shot, Hawthorn - without the likes of captain Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell - received another scare when defender Paul Puopolo was helped off the ground late in the clash with a suspected knee complaint.

The Suns were led by Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett who backflipped and opted to take on Hawthorn rather than the Lions.

He led the way with 13 touches while Russell had 10 disposals including the match-winning behind at the death.

For the Hawks, Matt Suckling was impressive with 13 touches while highlight machine Cyril Rioli had his moments in the first half.

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